Thursday, January 31, 2008

Continuing my official "artist wait mode" at work (read: I have literally nothing to do). No, it's not really because of the writer's strike. But I am making another scarf, a fancy lacy scarf.

This is my first attempt at doing fancy stitches like "yarn overs" and "knits through the back loop," so I'm not using the mohair that is recommended, just some cheap worsted weight that I happened to already have.

If you are new to these stitches, as I am, check out the Knit Witch videos for instructions.

Here's where it gets g33ky: I was having a lot of trouble keeping track of what stitch I was on, until I realized that the design was symmetrical, and that the line of symmetry was visible. When I realized that this equation was true:

I make my costumes from scratch... badly. I don't really use patterns, or do a muslin version first, or really have a plan. I kind of look at stuff I have that is vaguely similar and then work straight ahead. Somehow this sort of works.

The dress is made from pink Joann(fake) linen; I really wanted it to look tweed-like without being as warm or bulky as tweed. The fabric looked great at first, but it was a mistake to use something so wrinkle-prone (see photo). I think if I'd lined this, it would have worked better, but I am so lazy.

The perfect pillbox design is actually in Saturday Night Hat by Eugenia Kim. I believe it is called the Wedding Cake Hat; this is adapted from that. It is a great book that I recommend to anyone who wants to make some simple hats.

Mah kinky boots are made by Pleaser, they are white patent leather go-go boots, and while they have a substantial heel, they are surprisingly comfy and stable. While shopping for the best price, I noticed that they seem to be marketed to drag queens. Ha. Anyway, I bought mine from ebay, but they can be found at CosWorx.

The gloves are from Claire's Accessories. These are actually the gloves from my wedding... yes! Recycling!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I haven't been able to get my computer to turn on for a while. I'm ignoring the problem for now, and hoping that it magically goes away, as these things sometimes do. Temporarily blogging from DH's computer.

While I'm a big fan of Jiraiya, I don't really intend for him to be the mascot of Craft:g33k forever. I drew this fun doodle at work. Enjoy :)

Friday, January 4, 2008

I have been seeing tams, those giantslouchyknit hats, a lot lately, and I like them. In honor of River, I'm making a blue one (because rivers are blue-ish). Here's the pattern I'm using, an amalgam of some different ones I've seen.

Crown-1st row: p2tog (purl two together) in the center of each depression (decrease 12)-2nd row: proceed with rib-3rd row: k2tog (knit two together) in the center of each stockinette section (decrease 12)-4th row: proceed with rib-Continue in this fashion until 12 stitches remain. Sew together.

UPDATE: I learned something about myself. I f@#$ing hate circular needles! And I don't have the patience to figure out DPNs. So... screw this!